Students may pursue cell and molecular related research in any department at UW-Madison, however, they will need to have their research experience approved by MCB to have the requirement fulfilled. It is recommended that you connect with your advisor to discuss these research and thesis opportunities.
699: Directed Studies
Directed Studies is designed for students to pursue knowledge beyond the curriculum of the major through research. Research credit is pursued in collaboration and under direct supervision of a faculty member or research mentor. At least two credits of 699 is required to complete the Molecular and Cell Biology major requirement, however, students often continue their research position over several semesters. A second two credits of 699 may be used to complete the major’s Lab Course requirement. Visit the Undergraduate Research page for information on how to secure an undergraduate research position. Action Item, Once you’re enrolled in 699 research credits (in your Mentor’s department), email a paragraph to MCB that explains a bit about the research lab and the project you’re working on -highlighting the molecular/cellular aspects of your research, mcb@ibio.wisc.edu.
Molecular Biology 681-682: Honors Thesis
Honors Thesis in Molecular Biology is a two semester sequence in which students pursuing Honors in the Major work with a faculty mentor on a laboratory project designed jointly by the student and their mentor. The Honors Thesis Proposal Form is submitted to the MCB major at mcb@ibio.wisc.edu by the week before the first semester of your thesis work begins. After the proposal is approved by the MCB major, students will be given permission to enroll in Honors Thesis credits. During the first semester, a student begins work on the project and is assigned a grade of “P” for progress for Mol Bio 681 by the faculty mentor. At the end of the second semester, the student submits a final thesis to the MCB major with the results of experiments and conclusions. Once the final thesis has been approved and graded by the faculty mentor, the Registrar’s Office will update the “P” grade from 681 to match the assigned grade from 682, 6 credits total for both Mol Bio 681 and 682.
Molecular Biology 686: Senior Honors Seminar
Senior Honors Seminar in Molecular Biology is a required one credit class for students pursuing Honors in the Major that explores the origins, present frontiers, and future prospects of molecular and cell biology. Students will read, write about, and discuss papers from the original literature. Social and ethical issues related to technologies based on molecular and cell biology are considered. Prerequisites: Sr St; juniors may register with consent of instructor.
Molecular Biology 691-692: Senior Thesis
Senior Thesis in Molecular Biology is a two semester sequence in which a student works with a faculty mentor on a laboratory project designed jointly by the student and their mentor. This option is for students who are not completing Honors in the Major, but want to pursue a Senior Thesis. The Senior Thesis Proposal Form is submitted to the MCB major at mcb@ibio.wisc.edu by August 31, or the week before a given semester begins. During the first semester of the thesis, a student begins work on the project and is assigned a grade of “P” for progress for Mol Bio 691 by the faculty mentor. Once the final thesis has been approved and graded by the faculty mentor, the Registrar’s Office will update the “P” grade from 691 to match the assigned grade from 692, 6 credits total for both Mol Bio 691 and 692.
Senior/Honors Thesis Proposal Form